Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-04-07
Letter from Brooklyn.


Editor Of E9ls,corth 1mericaH
The rapid growth and close business
relation of the cities of Brooklyn and New
York, naturally bring the question of easy
and rapid communication between the plac
es prominently before the public mind.
The fact that two city governments are to
act in every matter of this kind, after per-
mission is obtained from the United
States, and from the state of New
York, makes progress slow upon such an
enterprise as bridging the East river; still
this course appears to be the favorite meth
cd of communication at present tand as the
two cities will not be united for some years
the greater is the necessity for early action
toward needed improvements, which, were
there but one city, could readily be made
a. they were demanded. The long time
taken to complete the present bridge,
would not be squandered upon like
structure again, and the success Of the
present has taken away objection and fear
as to the kind of communication needed.
Forty years ago large cities were desired
in this country for their commercial pow
cr and aS financial centres, but the country
| has 50 rapidly supplied itself with centres
Of power and population, that the question
| has turned to be one of management
| which is more serious matter. There are
| within radius of ten miles, the City Hall,
| New York, being the centre. a population
,,f u MI . Inn j.. al- b.ir
| business centre; hence the aim is tn reach
| the place of business by the most direct or
/ rapid communication. 1t i now proposed
| to Construct a bridge similar to our pres
| ent bridge to connect BroadWay BROOKLYN.
! with Grand street. New York, and another
! bridge, not altogether unlike the present.
| with central tower on Bla Ckwclls Island.
| To connect New York, at about East Snth
| street with Long Island city. over thi~
/ latter bridge it is proposed to have rail
| road connection between the Hudson river
/ and other roads with the Long Island rail
| road. These bridges will facilitate traffic
1 between the cities and allow the outside
/ wards Of Brooklyn easy access 70 the
4 different sections Of New York The time
required To build them would not be- more
/ than three years. and the cost would not
| exceed 5000 900 each The present
| bridge cost about SIG 600 900. and was ton
years in building. Some idea ufthc work
/ done by the bridge. can be obtained from
| tile fact that one day last week IA 900 per
sous were carried over it hy tile cars. III"
number carried on the cars in February
| lsN7 was > l23 600, an increase Of 30 .0On
over the same month of lssG. Were it
! not for the corruption that exists in the
| governing element of the cities of New
| York and Brooklyn, it would be better that
| they should bc under one authority and the
people have what they all desire !, Z. rapid.
! cheap communication. In one direction
at least there are signs Of progress, and
/ that i on the question Of liquor selling.
We are in fair way 10 have the license
fee raised to a point which will prevent
| many of the present dealers getting IL
ccnSe, and consequently reduction of
/ 2OpO or 1000 in the number of saloons. nT
places where liquors are sold. This i in
spite OF the Joint efforts Of prolibitiun~t-
and runmie> The effect Of the High III
ccn>c Law" viii b., to reduce the run
shops and largely increase thc revenue
This has been the case wherever high
| license laws have been snactssl The leg
i>latiNe investigation has resulted, 50 far,
in the presentation - bills to the lt%isla-
tune aboli~hing the evil system of fee and
substituting salaries for the county ofii-
cial-. Still there j. more loDd ,r"-Sct I"
| follow in other matters hereafter
We are having a real clustering March.
I The clouds Of dust iii the air We have
no snow to hold the real estate down.
/ hence il j. taking the usual ,pria4 ris', and
/ seems to make the most Of it. If only to
/ keep down the dust, Il >now~tomn would
! be very acceptable l. J.